Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Renato “Ren” Camacho of North Canton, Ohio, to the Kent State University Board of Trustees. Camacho will serve through May 16, 2032. He succeeds Stephen Perry, who completed his nine-year term on the Board. Camacho brings expertise in both economic development and aviation to the Kent State Board.
Camacho currently serves as president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Airport, a position he has held since 2018. He leads a 60-member team of airport employees, strategically plans for the future of the airport and directs all capital improvement projects. He has more than 30 years of professional experience in the aviation and transportation engineering sectors, specializing in program management and customer service.
“I’m extremely honored to be selected by the governor for this appointment,” Camacho said. “I look forward to working with the other trustees and President (Todd) Diacon to further advance the student-centric mission and priorities of the university.”
Prior to joining the Akron-Canton Airport, Camacho served as chief of planning and engineering with the city of Cleveland’s Department of Port Control, which oversees Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, Burke Lakefront Airport and the Lakefront Harbors. He also spent 14 years with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, working in various capabilities to complete major capital infrastructure projects.
Camacho is a member of the Kent State University at Stark Advisory Board, which represents the interests of both the local community and Kent State in the overall development of higher education programs for Kent State Stark’s service area. In addition, Camacho serves on the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, American Heart Association Stark County Executive Leadership Team, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Greater Akron Chamber Board of Directors, Lake Township Board of Directors, Stark Economic Development Board of Directors, Visit Canton Board of Directors, Aultman Health Foundation Board of Directors, ACE Mentor Program Akron-Canton Chapter Board of Directors, Akron Public Schools’ College and Career Academies Advisory Board, and Ohio Latino Affairs Commission’s Akron/Canton Networking Group.
Camacho earned his master’s degree in transportation planning and engineering from New York University’s Polytechnic Institute and his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. A registered Professional Engineer in the state of Ohio and a Professional Traffic Operations Engineer, Camacho also has received the designation of an Accredited Airport Executive (AAE) from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).
Kent State’s Board of Trustees currently consists of 14 members, nine of whom are voting members appointed by the governor of the state of Ohio, with the advice and consent of the state Senate, to nine-year terms of office. Two student trustees, one undergraduate and one graduate, are appointed by the governor to two-year terms of office. The Board currently has three national trustees, who serve three-year terms, as additional non-voting members appointed by the Board of Trustees.
For more information about Kent State’s Board of Trustees, visit www.kent.edu/bot.
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Photo Caption:
Renato “Ren” Camacho of North Canton, Ohio, has been appointed to the Kent State University Board of Trustees by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
Media Contacts:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595